The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Scotland were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Scottish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Pawl is derived from the ancient Latin personal namePaulus meaning small. It has always been common in Christendom due to the importance and enduring popularity of St. Paul. "As a Christian name, examples are not common but it can hardly be regarded as 'a very rare name in the Middle Ages' in view of the numerous forms and derivatives." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)

Early Origins of the Pawl family

The surname Pawl was first found in the East Riding of Yorkshire at Paull, a parish, in the union of Patrington, S. division of the wapentake of Holderness. The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Pagele, and literally meant "place at the stake, (marking a landing-place)" from the Old English word "pagal." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) In early times there were three settlements: Paull Fleet; Up Paull and Paull Holme. All merged in the 16th century or so to become Paull. Not withstanding the parish reference, due to the aforementioned personal name origin, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 show the scattered mention of the name at that time: Stephen Paul in Nottinghamshire; [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) and Thomas filius Pole in Derbyshire. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) The lion's share of the family claim Scotland as their homeland and rightly so. "This surname is one of considerable antiquity in the parish of Daviot, and occurs in the parish of Fintry in 1654. It is also found in the Lothians and in Fife, where it is considered "by family tradition a Flemish name," but is not necessarily so. " [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

Early History of the Pawl family

Early History of the Pawl family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pawl research.Another 307 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1685, 1528, 1546, 1659, 1696, 1599, 1665, 1663 and are included under the topic Early Pawl History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pawl Spelling Variations

Pawl Spelling Variations

The frequent translations of surnames from and into Gaelic, accounts for the multitude of spelling variations found in Scottish surnames. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation, or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Pawl has also been spelled Paul, Paule, Pauls, Paull, Paulls and others.

Early Notables of the Pawl family (pre 1700)

Early Notables of the Pawl family (pre 1700)

Another 25 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pawl Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pawl family to Ireland

Migration of the Pawl family to Ireland

Some of the Pawl family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 137 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pawl family to the New World and Oceana

Migration of the Pawl family to the New World and Oceana

Some of the first North American settlers with Pawl name or one of its variants: Daniel Paul, who settled in Boston in 1630; Henry Paul settled with his wife and seven children in Virginia in 1709; John Paul settled in Virginia with his wife and five children in 1709.

The Pawl Motto

The Pawl Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.